Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassie Moore.
Hi Cassie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
This story isn’t just mine to share.
ReInspire was founded in 2017 by Charise Olson, after she had a dream about moving to Texas and starting a nonprofit to help at-risk youth. She followed that calling all the way to Johnson County, where she poured her heart into young people who needed someone to believe in them.
Charise provided life skills training, job readiness, tutoring, mentorship—and she went far beyond what most would. She even took in two brothers who were friends with her son, Austin. She never did the bare minimum. She did everything she could, every time.
In 2024, just after ReInspire received a grant for housing property, Charise passed away unexpectedly from cancer. Her death blindsided our board, our youth, and our entire community. We were heartbroken. But we made a collective decision in our grief: ReInspire would not end with her.
For nearly a year, the organization was led by an interim Executive Director. Then I stepped into the role.
I had worked alongside Charise first as a volunteer, and later as a board member starting in 2019. But my connection to ReInspire runs deeper than a title—because I was an at-risk youth.
My childhood home was filled with dysfunction and functioning addiction. By the age of 15, I turned to the streets. I quickly became a statistic—using and selling drugs until I was 17. Once I was old enough to go to jail, I didn’t stop. At 19, I was arrested for the final time and charged with possession of a controlled substance, along with multiple misdemeanors. I served two years in prison. It was there that I didn’t just find myself—I found Jesus. I knew while I was in there I wanted to work with teens in my own community, I just didn’t know where to start.
A few years after my release, I came across a Facebook page with “client quotes.” I messaged the page, not knowing it would change my life. Charise responded almost immediately, telling me about ReInspire and the work they were doing. I knew then that everything I had been through—every hardship—had led me to that moment.
Even after Charise’s passing, I believe that meeting her and becoming part of ReInspire was not an accident. This is where I am meant to be.
Since her death, we have struggled A LOT. We have cried even more. But we have kept going.
Today, we have five young women thriving in our transitional housing program ( ages 18-23). We own a series of 3-bedroom, 2-bath duplexes where young women can move in after meeting program criteria. We help them stabilize their lives—enroll in school, find employment, learn to drive, raise their babies, build savings, attend college or trade school, and develop real-life skills.
Each unit is fully furnished. Every bedroom includes a twin bed, dresser, nightstand, lamp, and décor. The girls are encouraged to make their space their own—something many of them have never experienced before.
Once a month, all residents meet together. The host chooses a meal, we shop for the ingredients, prepare the food together, sit down as a family, and then work through goals, budgets, savings, and life planning. Some months we bring in guest speakers to teach finances, cooking, trades, crafts—whatever will help them grow.
And that’s just our housing program.
Our Resource Center serves youth ages 12–17, providing internet access, non-perishable food, therapy referrals, school supplies, clothing, and enrichment activities. Our largest and most loved event is First Fridays, held every first Friday of the month—offering a meal, a class, and a fun activity in a safe, welcoming space.
ReInspire is 100% community-driven. Charise worked intentionally to keep us independent of government funding, because government dollars come with restrictions on who we can help and how. That’s not who we are. We want the freedom to serve any young person who needs us.
I won’t pretend stepping into this role has been easy. I don’t come from a nonprofit background. I don’t have formal education in this field. But I can tell you this with certainty:
The Lord has carried me—and ReInspire—through our hardest seasons.
It is an honor to carry on Charise’s dream.
And we are just getting started.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
This season has been a tough one, so many obstacles, and hurdles we had to overcome. Lots of rebuilding.
After losing Charise, ReInspire faced challenges we had never encountered before. At the time of her passing, we had just launched our housing program and were suddenly carrying the largest financial responsibility the organization had ever known. The bills were real, the needs were immediate, and our funds were tight—nearly nonexistent.
While we were grieving the loss of our powerful founder, we were also struggling simply to keep the doors open.
Many people in the community knew ReInspire for our Resource Center, but very few knew that we had launched a housing program or how critical that program was becoming. Awareness was low, and without awareness, support was limited.
So I stepped out of my comfort zone. Determined to not let this organization fail. I had a program full of young women who needed me.
I attended every community event I could find. I introduced myself as the Executive Director of ReInspire. I spoke at luncheons, meetings, and gatherings. I shared our story, our mission, and our needs. I made sure our community knew who we were, who we served, and why their support mattered.
We didn’t ask out of desperation—we asked out of belief. Belief that this community cares about its youth. Belief that ReInspire was worth fighting for. And belief that Charise’s vision deserved to live on.
And slowly, that awareness began to grow.
We’ve been impressed with Cleaning With Cassie , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
ReInspire is known for its early, preventative approach to youth support and its commitment to walking alongside young people long-term, rather than stepping in only during crisis. We specialize in creating stable, supportive environments where youth and young adults can build life skills, confidence, and independence through consistent mentorship and access to essential resources.
What sets ReInspire apart is that we combine prevention, housing, and practical support under one mission. As the only organization in the county providing housing for both teens and young adults, we are able to support youth through multiple life stages, ensuring continuity of care. Our focus on dignity, accountability, and individualized guidance allows young people to not only meet immediate needs, but to develop the tools necessary for lasting success.
In addition to housing, ReInspire operates a comprehensive resource center designed to meet a wide range of youth needs in one accessible location. The Resource Center serves as a safe, welcoming hub where youth can receive guidance, build confidence, and access support in a judgment-free environment.
It is a place where young people are met with consistency, encouragement, and trusted adults who help them navigate education, employment, and personal challenges. The center is designed to reduce barriers, connect youth to opportunities, and ensure they are never navigating life’s next steps alone.
Our goal is to serve as a one-stop resource hub—providing youth with as many tools, resources, and supports as possible in a safe, welcoming environment. When needs arise that we cannot meet directly, we work closely with the many trusted organizations within our community to ensure every young person receives the help they need.
We are most proud of the trust ReInspire has built with youth and the community. Young people walk through our doors and find safety, stability, and adults who consistently show up for them. Through our Launch Pads housing program and preventative support starting as early as age 12, we help change life trajectories before crisis happens. Most of all, we are proud that ReInspire is a place of hope where youth are reminded that their past does not define their future.
At its heart, ReInspire exists to remind youth that their circumstances do not define their future—and that with the right support, direction, and belief, lasting change is possible.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Always being my grandparents Betty and Jesse. I remember always going to their house, picking fresh blackberries from their backyard, watching the Lion King, and other great movies. One being “Shag” about 4 high school grads who take one last trip to Myrtle Beach in the summer of 63′, where they shagged their way into adulthood and more. It my most favorite memory with my grandmother.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wearereinspire.org
- Instagram: reinspire2025
- Facebook: ReInspire
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/cassie-moore-1b9891380
